#can't believe he's been ginger for so long and now he's got a bob like yeah he's bob alright

[meongppangz]

@i.2.n.8 instagram live / 240514

[solohux]

Hi Lottie, sorry to be a bother but I'm having a hard day struggling with grief. Would you maybe write something where Hux thinks he can't have kids but really Kylo has been sending them off to some neutral planet? Maybe suppressants are banned to grow the trooper battalions but Kylo can't bear to see his kids fall to that fate. He alters Hux' memory so Hux thinks the babies never made it to term. Newly crowned Emperor Hux is offered a gift by his Knight its all his children returned safe. Pls?

You’re not a bother, darling! Never! I’m sorry you’re struggling.

It’s the morning after his coronation.

Hux has woken extremely early to Kylo pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, whispering to him that he’s got an errand to run and that he’ll be back before sundown. The Knight disappears before Hux can ask any more questions but after yesterday’s celebrations, Hux is more than happy to roll over and fall back asleep.

He wakes again hours later from a pleasant dream, albeit groggily, with a heavy head from yesterday’s drinking and an even heavier body from his and Kylo’s passionate night.

Hesitantly, Hux sits up with a groan, his palm finding its way to his stomach and suddenly he’s welling up when he finds it flat. He’d dreamt that he was round with child, so plump and full that his dear husband and Knight had to carry him to their bed where they fall asleep, the feel of their growing baby kicking beneath their joined hands atop Hux’s stomach–

Hux covers his mouth. If only. After three pregnancies and three miscarriages, Hux has received the clear message that the galaxy is obviously trying to send him.

He can’t have children, can’t carry them to full term. Each time, he’d felt pain in his lower half, collapsed, and woken up a day later with an empty womb and Kylo by his side, his soft brown eyes filled with sadness as he utters the familiar words ‘I’m sorry, Hux’, but even the softest of words can’t take away Hux’s pain.

Wishing he had Kylo here now to comfort him, Hux sighs but gathers his strength to get out of bed and wash, putting on his mask to deceive his subordinates, hide every emotion that’s racing through his mind.

Nothing new, he thinks.

The day passes slowly and even Hux can see that his officers and advisors aren’t working as quick as usual; alcohol and celebrating his crowning has definitely taken its toll on many.

He’s sat in his throne, golden and ornate, when his messenger approaches him with a glazed look in his eyes.

“Your Majesty,” the boy bows. “Your Knight, hound and husband is requesting your audience, sir.”

Odd, Hux immediately thinks. Kylo normally enters with a Force-push to the double doors and strides in before dropping to his knees in front of his Emperor. He never asks permission to enter like a visitor or a commoner would. Already, Hux is nervous.

“Of course,” Hux nods, waving his gloved hand. “Let him in immediately.”

“He…also said that you should brace yourself, Your Highness,” the messenger says before bowing again and exiting, striding up the long, red carpet , leaving Hux with his anxiousness.

What could Kylo possibly do that would surprise him? After disappearing this morning, Hux has wondered what Kylo has been doing but their independence is still important, but this–

The doors open. Hux goes numb.

Kylo walks in slowly, a little girl holding his hand, a taller boy holding hers, and a bundle nestled in the crook of Kylo’s free arm.

The boy and the girl look no older than 4 years old, both dressed in expensive clothing and both having a little bounce in their step. Her red curls bobbing, the girl wears a golden bow in her hair, whilst the boy’s brown hair is brushed back.

“Emperor Armitage Hux, my Grace, my love. Hux.” Kylo halts in front of the small step that leads up to Hux’s throne and drops to his knees. “Forgive me. My intentions were nothing but the best for you–”

“Who are they?” Hux stands up slowly, finding strength in his knees, fearful of Kylo’s answer.

Kylo swallows hard. Even without Force powers, Hux can almost sense the unease in his husband’s mind.

“This is Mara,” Kylo says, looking at the girl, and already, Hux’s fears are confirmed at the mention of the name he wished to call his first baby girl, after his step-mother. “And Henri.”

The boy looks just like Kylo.

Kylo adjusts the bundle in his arms, pulling the blankets down, “And the littlest one is Millie.”

The baby stirs in Kylo’s arms, a ginger tuft of hair already on her head. She can’t be older than six months, the time since Hux’s last miscarriage.

“Explain yourself, Kylo Ren. Quickly.”

Kylo hesitates but Hux ensures his stare burrows into Kylo’s skull for intimidation, angry and rageful, confused.

“They’re ours, Hux,” Kylo days quietly, and Hux feels his knees give way as he sinks back down into his throne, trembling. “You’ve carried and birthed them all. All cut out of you before you entered natural labour. I…altered your memories so you’d forget, so you’d think you’d lost them. I had to hide them, Hux. I had to. The Resistance, the stormtrooper program–”

“Silence.”

Hux barks the word at Kylo, pleased when he stops speaking immediately. He can’t think straight. Altered his memories? All this time he’d believed that he couldn’t carry children but they’d been taken from him, given the names that he’d wanted to call them, kept hidden.

“Mara,” Hux steps down from his throne, mind lost to a flurry of emotion. “Henri. Millie.”

Kylo flinches as Hux suddenly drops to his knees and takes the boy and the girl into his arms, hugging them, kissing them, crying.

“Mama,” the girl says. “We missed you, Mama.”

“I gave them memories of you,” Kylo says, voice shaking. “I’ve visited them on their planet since they were born. Showed them pictures. Told them stories of you. Their mother, the emperor, the love of my life.”

“Papa said you missed us too, Mama. Have you? Have you missed us too?” Henri asks, brown eyes wide.

“Yes, darling, yes I have, so much,” Hux kisses his son on the head, moving to take little Millie into his arms whilst Mara and Henri cling onto him.

Hux smiles. The anger for Kylo’s deceit will come later but for now, Hux holds his children in the tightest of embraces, scared to let go of his new family.